MS4s

Under the federal Clean Water Act, operators of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) are required to develop and implement storm water management plans to reduce pollutant loadings to the maximum extent practicable. Under the federal regulations, MS4s are required to incorporate the following six elements into their programs:

• Public education and outreach
• Public participation and involvement
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site runoff control
• Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
• Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance

In December 2002, DEP issued a General Permit (“PAG-13”) for use by MS4s subject to NPDES Phase II requirements. The permit requires covered MS4s is to implement a program for minimizing stormwater impacts from their system over the 5-year permit term. DEP has announced that it intends to extend the expiration of the current NPDES Phase II MS4 general permit (PAG-13) by one year from midnight March 9, 2008 to midnight March 9, 2009. If you are using PAG-13, you do not need to file an application for the extension at this time. If you are using a NPDES Phase II MS4 individual permit, you must either submit an application for a renewal permit or request an extension of your current permit 180 days or more before the expiration of your current permit.

RESOURCES

Resource Materials for MS4s